The NME Big Gig 2009

1
 

The Cure wow crowds at London’s O2 Arena last night for the NME Big Gig with a set that culminated in a special encore of ‘Boys Dont Cry’, a frenetic version of ’10:15 Saturday Night’ and, finally, ‘Killing An Arab’. Pic: Tim Cochrane

2
 

White Lies opened the Big Gig at London’s O2 Arena last night, with frontman Harry McVeigh announcing: "I’d like to take this chance to say that it’s an honour to play with The Cure, it means a lot to us." Pic: Tim Cochrane

3
 

Franz Ferdinand at last night’s NME Big Gig. Playing a set that mixed old favourites with songs from new album ‘Tonight: Franz Ferdinand’, the highlight of the set proved to be the close of ‘Outsiders’ as the band dropped their guitars, grabbed drumsticks and hammered Paul Thomson’s kit to create a frenetic tribal sound. Pic: Tim Cochrane

Advertisement

4
 

‘Just Like Heaven’ drew the entire O2 Arena crowd to their feet at last night’s Big Gig, but it wasn’t the only mass singalong moment: ‘In Between Days’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry’ were also memorable moments. Check out the news section for the full setlist.

5
 

The Cure treated the packed-out O2 Arena to a song from each of their albums at last night’s Big Gig, eliciting rapturous response for the likes of ‘A Forest’ and ‘Three Imaginary Boys’. The show followed their greatest hits set from the Shockwaves NME Awards the night before. Tune in to NME Radio and NME TV all day today for highlights from the awards. Pic: Andy Willsher

6
 

A real mix of people showed up to see NME’s Big Gig last night, which featured a truly eclectic line-up – from the art-rock stylings of Franz Ferdinand to Crystal Castles’ electro nihilism, as well as White Lies and Godlike Geniuses The Cure. Get this week’s NME for a special free CD of Cure covers.

7
 

Crystal Castles wowed Cure fans at last night’s Big Gig. Speaking to NME.COM after their show, Ethan Kath said: "You know, we’re a band that aimed to play basement parties. So to put that basement party band on a stage in front of 18,000 Cure fans was a strange and surreal experience." Pic: Tim Cochrane

Advertisement

8
The Cure in concert – London

The Cure celebrate winning the Godlike Genius award at last night’s Big Gig. For an exclusive video interview with band – and many other stars from the Shockwaves NME Awards – check out NME.COM/VIDEO. Pic: PA Photos

9
 

From opener ‘Underneath The Stars’ to set closer ‘Killing An Arab’, The Cure played an astonishing 22-song set at London’s O2 Arena last night. Head over to NME.COM/AWARDS for full coverage of both the Big Gig and the Shockwaves NME Awards themselves. Pic: Tim Cochrane

10
 

White Lies also played both the Shockwaves NME Awards and the Big Gig at London’s O2 Arena. The Daily Download blog (at NME.COM/BLOGS) has a free Yuksek remix of the band to give away. Pic: Danny North

11
 

Crystal Castles at NME’s Big Gig last night. Head over to NME.COM/AWARDS once you’ve finished this gallery to see NME photographer Jacob Perlmutter’s alternative photo blog from the night. Pic: Tim Cochrane

Advertisement
Advertisement